Times Of Swaziland: REPLACING THE TOILET PAPER

REPLACING THE TOILET PAPER
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By Bongani Siimelane on 31/03/2018 12:38:00


The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard
part is doing it.  I was reminded of this statement in a recent e-mail exchange.
The discussion included the many tough choices that the person being discussed
made, and how they (in my opinion) chose to do the right thing in each case,
despite the difficulty. So many people end up choosing the wrong thing, when
they know better, only because they decide to take the easy path.
This statement has two parts to it. The first part is the knowing, or not
knowing, what is the proper thing to do.
The second is acting on that knowledge. As the statement says, the first part is
the easy part for most of us. It’s the second part that is often the more
difficult.
And that, I believe, is what the statement is warning us about. It’s easy
enough to know what to do but are we strong enough to do it?
Are we willing to do what is necessary, to bear the burdens or challenges, which
the right decision will bring?
That’s what it comes down to, isn’t it? Knowing right from wrong is the easy
part for most of us. Yes, there are people with mental or social issues, and
some of them have difficulties with this.
But for the vast bulk of the people of the planet, we know. But how often do we
do? That’s where moral strength as well as your personal character comes to
the fore.
If you aren’t strong, if you frequently don’t take the tough but right path,
you’re not going to get stronger, and that aspect of your character would
become known.
One issue that would remain outside this discussion is the social values in your
community. There are parts of the world where the death penalty is routinely
enforced, and is (to those who live there) the right thing to do.
In other parts of the world, it’s the wrong thing to do. But regardless of
what the issue may be, if it’s the right thing to do, and you don’t do it,
you have shown a lack of strength, right?
Sometimes telling the truth would get you in a lot of trouble, so you tell a
‘little’ lie. I think we’ve all been there, and (hopefully) learned our
lesson.